Math is Figure-Out-Able!
Math teacher educator Pam Harris and her cohost Kim Montague answer the question: If not algorithms, then what? Join them for ~15-30 minutes every Tuesday as they cast their vision for mathematics education and give actionable items to help teachers teach math that is Figure-Out-Able. See www.MathisFigureOutAble.com for more great resources!
Episodes
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 17, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Faceb...
Shout out to our 6-8 teacher friends! Let's take a peek at some important conversations Pam and Kim have had over the years, just for you.
Talking Points:
- Ep 45 - 5 Interpretations of Rational Numbers
- Ep 183 - Integer Subtraction
- Ep 266 - Solving Proportions - Within & Between
Check out Pam's Books
Math is FigureOutAble Blog
Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: P...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 10, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Faceb...
Shout out to our 3-5 teacher friends! Let's take a peek at some important conversations Pam and Kim have had over the years, just for you.
Talking Points:
- Ep 174 - Double/Half: The Most Sophisticated Multiplication Strategy
- Ep 29 - Ratio Tables!
- Ep 34 - Knowing vs Memorizing Multiplicaiton Facts
Check out Pam's Books
Math is FigureOutAble Blog
Check out our social media
Twitter: @PWHarris
Ins...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on June 3, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebo...
Shout out to our K-2 teacher friends! Let's take a peek at some important conversations Pam and Kim have had over the years, just for you.
Talking Points:
- Ep 16 - Names of Teens
- Ep 85 - Moving Past Counting
- Ep 195 - Main Strategies for 1st Grade
- Ep 281 - How Strategies Grow Up
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 27, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebo...
How would you describe the difference between a classroom that emphasizes memorization and a classroom that develops mathematical reasoning? In this episode, Pam and Kim wrestle with an analogy for math classrooms.
Talking Points:
- Importance of letting students play with what they know to learn the real game of math
- The significance of choice in math class
- Pitfalls of labeling students
- Value of providing equal opportu...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 20, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebo...
What benefits have you found from teaching reasoning and mathing in your classroom? In this episode, Pam shares with Kim things she learned in her recent trip to South Korea.
Talking Points
- Learning with your students
- Importance of turn and talks to capture internal "aha" moments
- Value of vulnerability and openness in the classroom
- Math content vs math content for teaching
- How open-ended problems and real math-ing naturally d...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 3, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam...
Can your students confidently reason about fraction multiplication? In this episode, Pam and Kim facilitate a Problem String that develops two strategies for fraction multiplication and discuss the thoughts that went into designing the string.
Talking Points:
- #TryThisTuesday and #TryThisThursday
- Scaling with fractions
- Building fraction relationships
- Goal of math is to build mathematical reasoning, not just get answers.
- Reason...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on May 6, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: Pam...
Is there a 'correct' way to name math concepts? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss different naming conventions for fractions from different cultures.
Talking Points:
- Cultural difference in how fractions are expressed in Korean, where the denominator is said and written first.
- Cultural convention influences the way students think about and express fractions.
- Social conventions can influence mathematical understanding and ...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 29, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: ...
Can you use an algorithm to solve every type of problem, or are there some problems for which algorithms leave you stranded? In this episode, Pam and Kim answer that question and share a Problem String to build fractional fluency.
Talking Points:
- Importance of understanding the relationships between different fractions.
- Making sense of equivalent fraction values through experiences rather than memorized procedures.
- Problem ...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 22, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: ...
Looking for useful games and materials for your classroom? In this episode, Pam and Kim discuss some of the classroom materials and games they love and what makes them great.
Talking Points:
- Games and resources that do NOT lead towards an algorithm
- The value of games with strategy choice and without time/speed
- Hand2mind Foundations for Strategies
- Number Hive games for differentiation and to practice facts
- Math For Love ...
In today’s MathStratChat, Pam and Kim discuss the MathStratChat problem shared on social media on April 15, 2026.
Note: It’s more fun if you try to solve the problem, share it on social media, comment on others strategies, before you listen to Pam and Kim’s strategies.
Check out #MathStratChat on your favorite social media site and join in the conversation.
Twitter: @PWHarris
Instagram: Pam Harris_math
Facebook: ...
How should context and models be used to build strategy? In this episode, Pam and Kim share a sequence of tasks regarding area to demonstrate a better approach for building understanding, abstraction, and strategy as a natural outcome.
Talking Points
- Hand2mind Foundations for Strategies
- Use of manipulatives to feel the meaning of area
- Guiding students to become more sophisticated, both in models and in strategies
- The i...
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